Real-Time UAV Altitude Estimation and Data Transmission via mmWave Radar and Edge Computing

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach for UAV altitude estimation and data transmission using a 60 GHz IWR6843 mmWave radar mounted on a micro-drone, coupled with a Raspberry Pi edge device. The radar, configured in a long-range mode, leverages its high accuracy in altitude measurement, surpassing the performance of traditional UAV altimeters. The radar altimeter data is processed on the Raspberry Pi and wirelessly transmitted to the cloud, from which it can be accessed by a ground station for real-time monitoring and analysis. To validate the accuracy of the radar-based altitude measurements, GPS data is simultaneously recorded on the UAV, serving as a ground truth reference. Experimental results demonstrate that the radar-based measurements closely match the GPS-derived altitudes, showcasing the effectiveness of the proposed system. This approach not only improves altitude estimation accuracy but also enhances the reliability of UAV operations in various environments. Potential applications of this system include precision agriculture, disaster management, and search and rescue operations, where accurate altitude data is critical for mission success. The integration of mmWave radar with edge computing and cloud-based data management opens new avenues for real-time UAV monitoring and autonomous navigation. © 2024 IEEE.